Thread clamp

Abstract

A thread clamp, with the characteristic that it consists essentially of: a first jaw (3) with two spring arms (4, 5) which bend elastically away from and towards each other, perpendicularly to the plane in which the thread clamp opens and closes; a second jaw (6) which operates in conjunction with the first jaw; and an elastic device which serves to press the two jaws (3, 6) together.

We claim: 
     
       1. A thread clamp comprising: a pair of clamping jaws movable toward and away from each other between closed and open positions, respectively:   biasing means for elastically biasing said jaws towards a closed position;   a first jaw of said pair of jaws comprising two spring arms each having a fixed first end and a free second end, said fixed ends being disposed at a common location with said free ends extending away from said location adjacent each other, and with said free ends being elastically bendable in directions transverse to the direction of opening and closing of said jaws;   said free ends of said first jaw diverging away from each other at least when said jaws are closed;   said second jaw engaging each of said free ends when the jaws are closed.   
     
     
       2. A thread clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the free ends of the spring arms of the first jaw are provided with a device to limit their movement, said device comprising at least one recess into which the free ends reach. 
     
     
       3. A thread clamp as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two stops for preventing thread movement in one direction, wherein said two stops are located on opposite sides of the jaws. 
     
     
       4. A thread clamp as claimed in claim 3, wherein the respective points at which said stops prevent thread movement lie on a line that is oblique to the longitudinal axis of the clamp. 
     
     
       5. A thread clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thread clamp forms part of a feed gripper. 
     
     
       6. A thread clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thread clamp forms part of a receiving gripper. 
     
     
       7. A thread clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thread clamp forms part of a thread presentation mechanism. 
     
     
       8. A thread clamp, comprising: a first jaw having two spring arms each having first and second ends, said first ends being fixed with respect to each other, and said second ends diverging from each other when the thread clamp is open; wherein said spring arms bend elastically away from and towards each other perpendicularly to the plane in which the thread clamp opens and closes;   a second jaw that operates in conjunction with the first jaw; and   an elastic device that serves to press the first and second jaws together.   
     
     
       9. A thread clamp as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second ends are free ends. 
     
     
       10. A thread clamp as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a device to limit the movement of the free ends, said device comprising at least one recess into which the free ends reach. 
     
     
       11. A thread clamp as claimed in claim 8, wherein said spring arms comprise lamaellae that are fixed to each other at said first ends. 
     
     
       12. A thread clamp, comprising: a first jaw having two spring arms that each have first and second ends, said first ends being fixed with respect to each other, and said second ends diverging from each other when said thread clamp is closed, wherein said spring arms bend elastically away from and towards each other perpendicularly to the plane in which the thread clamp opens and closes;   a second jaw that operates in conjunction with the first jaw;   an elastic device that serves to press the first and second jaws together; and   two stops for preventing a thread from moving in at least one direction, wherein said two stops are located on opposite sides of the jaws.